Survey of the long-term use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters in children with cancer: experience in a developing country.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been used for many years in developed countries, but few studies have been focused on children with cancer in developing countries. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of PICCs and determined the rate of PICC-related complications in children with cancer. We prospectively followed all children with cancer over 3 years of age who received chemotherapy and PICC placement in our cancer center between June 2003 and May 2007.